Grain sprouting or germinating apparatus.



A. W. GRUNWALDT.

GRAIN SPROUTING 0R GERMINATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented May 25 A. W. GRUNWALDT. GRAIN SPROUTING 0R GERMINATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1908.

Patented May 25, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

attain;

ALBERT W. GRUNWA'LDT,

OF ABRAMS,- WISCONSIN.

GRAIN srnov'rme on cnnmma'rmc- APPARATUS.

Application filed April 16,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, ALBERT W. GRUNT WALDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Abrams, Oconto county, Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in GrainSprouting or Germinatmg Apparatus; and Ido hereby declare the.

spirit and scope of my invention.

An object of the invention is to provide a\ convenlent and efficient apparatus for use in connection with the process of treating grain by moisture to cause the grain to swell and s rout or germinate preparatory to-the. use t iereof as feed for cattle.

A further obje' of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein a plurality of sep- I arately maintained measured quantities of grain can be efliciently germlnated, and )roperly ventilated and supplied with air or lree oxygen, and whereby said measured quantities of grain can be conveniently placed in and removed from the apparatus.

.A further object of the invention is to provide simple inexpensive and eflicient apparatus for use on the farm for the pur ose of growing or sprouting grain for catt e feed and wherein the gram growing process can be easily carried on by the layman by hand Without the employment of a power plantor other motor or driving means and without a steam generator or other heater or furnace, and wherein grain boxes are employed ofa capacity enabling them to be readily insrted and removed'by hand, and wherein the o erator can readily gain access to each grain ox'within the apparatus to sprinkle or Specification of Letters Patent.

908. Serial No. 427,426.,

Patented May 25, 1909.

the operator can readily shut off or control the entrance of outside air into-the appara-- tus to maintain the desired grain growing humidity within the apparatus or can readily raltus to prevent souringof the grain therein.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction or in combinations and arrangements of arts as more fuHy and articularly set forth Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a perspective view' of the appaw ratus. Fi 2, is a vertical central section. thereof. %ig. 3, is a cross section. 7 Fig.4, is a perspective view of one of the rotary racks detached showing one of its rece'ptaclesremoved therefrom and in perspective.

In the special example illustrated, I show an uprightinclosure or chamber formed by a casing. having aclosed floor' l, a. vertical cylindrical, or other inclosing wall 2, and a- .top closure composed of a central diametrical. cross bar 3, secured to said wall 2, and two opposite segmental vertically swingable close down on wall.

5, is a vertical vent pipe carried by cross bar 3, and o ening through the same. into the u per-en of the interior of the-chamber or inc osure. This vent pipe can be provided with a damper 6 having an o. crating handle 7, .at the exterior ofthe inc 'osure, whereby,

the otherwise open vent ipe can be closed or the passage therethroug contracted. I showv the lower endof the inclosin wall 2, formed with several transverse venti ating' holes or passages 8, which canbe controlled, -'closed or opened, b exterior vertical slides or dampers 9. II aso show a valved drain pipe or tubev 10, to" drain off and discharge 4 water or moisture collecting .onthe Poor of theinclo'surel I usually provide th s drain pipe with any suitable valve whereby the pipe can be opened or closed.

show the mclosing wall 2, formed with a vertical -0 ening whereby -access can be gained to t echamber 'inclosed by the wall,

stir the'grain therein by hand, and wherein 50 I increase the flow of outside air into the appa- 55' 'andspecified hereina ter. 60 1 doors or covers 4, hinged to said cross bar to 7 5 the top edge of the upright and providedwith one or more doors for 010s ing the opening. Two horrizontally swing- -ing' doors 11, are shown hinged to the we [and adapted to meet 'at'their free edges. [A

suitable latch 12, can be provided for locking the doors tightly closed. ,-In the specific exan'iple illustrated, I show a vertical sta tionary post 13, at its lower end suitably secured to the 'floorof the inclosure, and at its upper end braced and held bya'collar' 14, rigid with horizontal radial armsor braces 15,

at their outer ends suitably secured t o ,the*

inclosing vertical wall. 2l-" On this. post 'I arrange and center one orfmore rotary-racks" or holdera. Each rack consists of -a central Jvertical collar Othublfi,loosely-embracing and turnable on the po'st, seyeralradiating- I vertically disposed. supporting partitions,

arms or walls 17, rigid with and carried by;

said hub, a horizontal openfloor secured to the, lower edges of the iradi'aiarms o'rparti tions and if'so desired, composedfof several spaced concentric rin 5,18, carried by'said partitions and afiixe .j'tothe' lower-edgesthereof.

Where several-s erimposed racks are v mounted on the post, oose collars or spacing rings 19, can lie-interposed between the hubs thereof to ermit'freeand independent rotation of eac rack,-and"thehub of the lower rack can-be upheld the. desired distance from.

the ,fioor of the-inclosure by--any s'juitable means, such as a sleeve 20, on the lower endof the post. Each rack is adapted to remoyablyireceive and support one or more gra n pans or race tacles for containing a i i measured, or' suitab e, quantityof the grain to be treated preparatory to feeding to cattle.- In thespec'ific example-illustrated, I-

show each rack formed and ada ted to carry s four sector'shaped pans 21, eac open at the top and having a erfor'ated or reticulated bottom or floor. I so desired, the-pans can. be of uniformcapacity and each ada ted to receive a known measured quantity of grain. Each an er-box fitsbetween a pair of arms 1 vor'wa s 17,'and extends inwardly'to or about to the hub of the rack, and rests on-th'e open floor' of the rack. The. series of racks areso place arranged that the grainpans can be easily on and removed from all ofthe racks through the opening in the vertical inelosing f wall when the doors thereof are open. In carrying out the process or method of.

of grain is placed in each box or pan, and

the 1 operator rotatin the boxes. are placed on the racks; the racks being rotated so that each box receiving compartment thereof can be provided with, a box of grain 3. Water is applied to the grain in each box,-'usually' by s rinklingj the same,

the racks to bring ,each box thereof tot je. front in succession so that thegrain thei'ein can (be readily necessary or preparing the grain, vthe desired quantity After the grain in all the boxes has been sprinkled to the desired extent, or supplied with the necessary amount vof moisture to start germination or to cause swelling thereof, the inclosilre issusually tightly closed to renderthe same approximately air tight.

grain s rinkled and stirred, if necessary, at. interva s topause the desired germination, and sprouting of the grain. Whene er process the necessary ventilation is afforded through the lower gate controlled air openpipe. Also, when necessary, the top covers can be either or both swung open to increase the circulation of air through the inclosure.

The casing doors' can be opened and the.

15 I esirable in. carrying. out ,t e

ings' and the'top damper controlled vent -Whenth'e grain has become swollen to the sired extent, it canrbe removed for feeding the. cattle. I j

'The.- process can. be more efliciently car,-

ried out by employing the inclo'sing casing whereby dust and dirt can be kept from the grain uring the germinating process and desired'extent, 9r has sprouted, to the dewhereby the process-can be accuratelyvconby the inclosure.

Material advantages are attained by endploying the'rotary 'racks'eacli adapted-to carry several grain boxes as the graincanthereby be more readily handled and treatedduring' the process, :andby employing boxeswith perforated or. open] work bottoms, the surplus moisture can drain from the boxes of an upper rack'onto the grain iii-the boxes of a lower rack andthus percolate through trolled by the, ventilating means provided the entire system or series of boxes, andcollect on thefloor of the inclosure from which it can bedrawn oil by the :lrain ipe. Also, if need' be, air can pass throng the perforated bottoms of the boxes for ventilationof -the-g'rfai'n therein if such be necessary in any s't'age'of the rocess. I

, I do not wish to limitthe broad features of my invention' to' grain boxes with perforated orreticulated bottoms, nor to the employ mentiof atop'cloure comprising the vertiv oors, as various or other e employed for providing a cally, 'HWlIl meansmight closed chamber for racks carrying grain sprinkled, inspected, -'or stirred if desirable;

to receive a germinating-charge of grain and for use in the process of -maintain the same during the sprouting process, and a germinating-chamber-forming casing mcloslng said racks and boxes and having means whereby'the germinating and growing temperature and humidity can be 1 maintamed'within the chamber and whereby fresh air can be drawn into the chamber below said boxes, said casing having'a vertical opening in length equal to the height of said series of racks whereby access can be gained to any box on anyrack for stirring or sprinkling, or-l'or removal or insertion, and means for normally closing said opening.

2. An apparatus for use in sprouting and growing grain for cattle feed comprising a germinating-chamber-forming casing having fresh air inlets at its lowerportion and provided with means for opening and closing the sanie, said casing having a top outlet with a controlling damper, and atop opening provided with a cover for opening or closing the same, a vertical fixed post within the casing provided with a vertical series of spacedv horizontal racks centered and adapted. to turnthereon, series of separate grain boxes adapted toremovablyrest on said racks and each adap edto receive and maintain'a germinating-charge of grain during the growing process, said casing having a vertical sideopening opposite all of said racks and through which access can be had to any box on any rack and means whereb said opening can be normally maintained clb 3. -An apparatus for use in preparing sed.

sprouted grain feed, com rising a vertica series of spaced horizonta ly movable grain box carrying racks, series of separate removable grain boxes each adapted to receive, and maintain a germinating charge of grain during the. germinating'and growing process, and an inclosing germinating-chamber-forming casing for said racks and boxes provided with top an bottom outlets and inlets and controlling means therefor, said reticulated floors for the passage of Water said racks so that the water can drip from' therethroughysaid boxes eing carried by the up er boxes into the lower boxes, said casing aving a top opening above the open tops of the top boxes, and movablemeans normally closing said opening, substantially as described.-

5. In a grain sprouting apparatus, in comblnat on, a germinatin'gr c which access can be gaine amber forming casing having a normally closed .moisture collectingfloor provided with meansfor discharging moisture therefrom, said casing having ventilating means, grain box supports arrangedwithin the casing and abovesaid fioor, vand series of independent removable grain boxesv carried by said supports and having reticulated bottoms for the passage of moisture therethrough fromthe grain within the boxes, said casing having a normally closed opening through which access can be gained to said boxes. v

6. A grain sprouting apparatus comprising a germinating-.chambering a normally closed floor, and a bottom air inlet and means for opening and closing the same, anda top air outlet, grain box supports orming casing hav in'said casing, independent removable grain boxes carried'by said supports, said casing having an opening through whiohaccess can begained to said boxes on'said supports, and means for normally closing said openings "7. A grain sprouting apparatus comprismg a vertical senes of grain box supports, indeendent removable grain boxes carried thereyfand a germmatmg-chamber-formmg casing inclosing said supports and the boxes thereon and'formed and provided with ventilating means, said casing having an openp orts and-through d to all of theboxes thereon, and means for normally maintaining'said opening closed.

ing beside all of said su 8. In a grain growing apparatus, in comd .bination, an inclosing germinating-chamberforming -casing having a normally closed floor and series of bottom inlet openings to the exterior of the casin 'means for con-' trolling the inflow of coo a'r through said openings and ,foropening and closing the same, said casing having a top outlet provided' with means'for controlling the outflow of heated air therethrough and for opening and closing the same, grain box supports in said casing adapted to carry-open-top grain boxes arranged between said inlets and outlet, and removable open-top grain boxes each ada ted to maintain a germinating charge of grain during germinating and growing thereof. v

9. In a grain growing apparatus, in combination, av plurality of independently removable open-top grain boxes each formed to receive and inaintain a' germinating charge of grain during germination and growing,

means for supporting said boxes, and an inclosing germinating-chember-formmg casin' for said boxes and supporting means, sai

casing provided with means whereby access can be gained to said boxes therein and have and for controlling the inflow of cool air, said casing also having a top-outlet for the pas- 25 ing a normally closed floor and a bottom inlet from the exterior of the casing provided with means for opening and closing the same I v p I 922,888

sage of heated'air from saiii chamber to the maintain the germinating temperature and, exterior of the casing and means for opening humidity thefein,-substentiall-y as described. 10.. and closing said outlet to control the outflow In testimony whereof I affix my signature, therethrough, whereby flowof cool air-into in presence of twowitnessesi J 5the lower portion of said cha'mber can be ALBERT W. GRU NWALDT- started, increased or diminished to control Witnesses: i the germinatingheat within the chamber, BERT SARGENT, v and whereby seid chamber can be closedto ETTA- K. SARGENTJ 

